The West Broadway Neighborhood Association (WBNA) has assembled this survey to record your impressions about the effectiveness of the traffic-calming project that is currently under construction on Messer and Sycamore Streets. This traffic-calming project is a 'pilot' project and will be continually evaluated and modified over the next three to five years by the WBNA.

The primary reason for installing this traffic-calming project was that neighbors were very concerned and very vocal that streets were not safe for pedestrians and children. Speeding cars and reckless driving claimed the lives of two children and injured many others on our streets. Neighbors demanded that dangerous driving and speeding traffic had to stop.

Many public meetings were held over the course of the project's three and a half year development in order to encourage neighbors to get involved in the planning and design so that the project could be the best it could for everyone in the neighborhood. We hope you will fill out this survey so that your voice will be recorded and included in the analysis as we continue to study the results of the project.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: What are these trees doing in the street?

A: They are slowing and reducing traffic, making the street far safer especially for schoolchildren and other pedestrians. The trees are also growing and beautifying the street over time, with additional landscaping to be done when the trees are firmly rooted. But increased safety is the overriding purpose, and it seems to be working by slowing the traffic down.

Q: Why does the remaining street space seem so narrow?

A: Speed bumps are hard on emergency vehicles, so the alternative is to make cars pass closer together. The space is narrower so you have to drive slower, but no narrower than if cars were parked on both sides. There is still room for two large vehicles to pass, as the above picture of Messer Street shows.

Q: Don't these new installations make snow plowing difficult?

A: This Winter, Sycamore Street was plowed effectively several times, so it can be done. Messer Street has never been done properly. When it is not plowed properly, you ought to call the Public Works Department at 467-7950 ext. 377.

Q: Aren't the corners on the marble curbs around the trees too sharp?

A: Yes. The city is supposed to round off the edges, but they have never done this. With enough demand from the neighborhood, we still hope they will.

Q: Why wasn't I consulted?

A: WBNA held several public meetings where the pro's and con's were discussed and public input was requested to help shape the design.

We still want your views and ideas, so we have designed a Survey. Please pick one up at our office at the corner of Westminster and Sycamore. You are invited to attend our meetings which are on the first Tuesday of every month at 7pm at WBNA Headquarters, 1560 Westminster St. Please plan to attend!